What is the meaning of the noble verse: "It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah (properly)"? And to whom does the fear (referred to) in it return? And how do we reconcile its meaning with Allah not fearing anyone, but rather it is the slaves who fear Him?
The verse (Indeed, those who fear Allah among His servants are only those who have knowledge) is interpreted such that the subjects (doers) are "the people of knowledge" (al-'ulama'), and the object is the Glorious Name "Allah." The precedence of the object implies that the fear of Allah is restricted to the people of knowledge. Thus, everyone who fears Allah is knowledgeable, but it does not mean that every knowledgeable person fears Allah. And whoever does not fear Allah is not truly a person of knowledge, for true knowledge leads to the fear of Allah and a complete understanding of Him.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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